Trimming mechanism for linotype-machines.



No. 705,801. V Patented 'July 29, i902.

FV. `.1. wlcH.

TRIMIIING IIEGHANISII FUR LIIIDTYFE MACHINES.

(Application filed Apr. 11, 1902.)

(lo man.; 5 sheets-'sheet l.

me Norms Pare'ns co, momm'rmv, wsnmoron, n. c.

Patented luly29, |902. y

No. 705,80I.

F. J. WICH.

TBIMMING MEGHANISM FUR LINBTYPE MACHINES.

(Appli s med Ap n 19052) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Patented my 29, |902.

F. J. WICH. TRIMMING MEDHANISM FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES.

(Application filed Apr. 11, 1902.)

(No Model.)

0 Si. 4 i. 5

rdn

w: Noam PETERS co.. PHOTo'Ln'Ho.. wAsHmuToN, D. c,

No. 705,001. 0 Patented 1u|y 29,1902.,

F. J. wlcH.

TBIMIMNG MECHANISM FOR LINDTYYPE MACHINES.

(A pplimiun 'med Apr. 11; 1902.)

(N0 Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

UNITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND JOHN WIOI-I, OF ALTRINGHAM, ENGLAND.

TRIIVIIVIING IVIECHANISIVI FOR LlNOTYPE-WACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent o. 705,801, dated J uly 29,1902.

' Applicatinfiiedliprilil,1902. saranno. 102,41. (Nomade.)

.T0 a/ZZ 1,071,079?, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FERDINAND JOHN WIcH, residing at The Poplars,Barrington road, Altringham, in the county of Chester, England, haveinvented certain newand useful Improvements in TrimmingMechanism forLinotype-Machines, of which the following is a true, full, and cleardescriptiom'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to improvements in connection with thetrimming mechanism of linotype-machines, and particularly trimmingmechanism arranged so that when ordinary linotypes are fproduced the twoknives are held atthe normal distance apart and when linotypes havingone or more twoline or other overhanging capitals are produced the saidoverhang automatically effects the lateral backward movement of thatknife which is on the side corresponding to that of the overhang, so asto place the said knife beyond the reach of the overhang when thelinotype is passed between the two knives.

This invention may beconsidered an improvement on that described inLetters Patent No. 635,830, issued to me on the 31st day of October,1899, in which .the overhanging letters on the 4linotype were reliedupon to impart motion to and throw out of action the parts holding theknife forward in operative position, in consequence of which the ear or'projection on the linotype was subjected to severe strains tending tofracture or mutilate it. The present invention hasv in View theavoidance of these strains and the adjustment of the knife bypower-.driven devices subject to governing or controlling devices, easyinaction, which are in turny controlled by the overhanging letter or earon the linotype. Y

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are to be taken as part of this specification and read'therewith, and wherein the said invention as an exampleisshown appliedto a Mergenthaler linotypemachineof the construction described in thespecification of Letters Patent No. 436,532.

Figures 1 and 1a are two parts of the same vertical section, divided atthe dotted ilines .Shown at the right and left of those figures,

respectively, of part of a linoiype-machine provided with the presentimprovements, the said sectionbeing such as would be seen from theright-hand side of the machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking toward the left of that igure, with the mold-wheelremoved; Fig. 3, a plan of Fig. 2, showinga portion of the mold-wheel;Fig. .4,v a rear elevation; Fig. 5, an elevation as seen from the rightof the machine, and Fig. 6 a plan of the fork detached from the machine;Fig. 7, asectional right-hand side elevation; and Fig. 8, a sectionalplan, showing certain operative parts of the mechanism. Figs. 9 and 10,1l and 12, 13 and 14, and 15 and 16 are views, respectively, similar toFigs.

7--and 8, but showing the sameparts in diiferent operative positions.

A represents a portion of the rigid main frame of` the machine. a6 isthe cam-shaft, which` rotates in bearings in or near the back of themachine in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. la; O, themold-wheel, adapted intermittently to rotate through two hundred andseventy degrees and ninety degrees, and P the vise-frame or knife-block,as it is hereinafter called.

All the parts'just enumerated are substantially as described in thebefore-mentioned specification, No. 436,532, the same letters ofreference being used to identify them in both specifications.

The before-mentioned movable knife 1 is mounted in dovetail or undercutguides 2 2, secured to the rear side of the knife-block P', and it islaterally movable in these guides, so that it may be brought nearer toor farther from the iixed knife Il, which is rigidly secured to theknife-block P by bolts 5 5, the

extreme outward and inward movements of this knife being determined bystops 3 3 and 3a 3, respectively, which stops are xed to the knifeblockP', as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. G is the ejection-port,traversing the knife-block P from back to front and through which thelinotypes pass after leaving the knives 1 f1, the said knives beingsituated one on either side of the portG and the port being of suchwidthas to admit of the free passage therethrough of a-linotype havingdisplay or capital letters overhanging the body of the linotype to themaximum extent.

IOO

The movable knife 1 is pivoted by studs 7 7 to the free ends oftoggle-links S S, whose companion links S 81 at their tied or stationaryends are pivoted by studs 9 9 'to the knifeblock P. The respective setsof toggle-links 8 3 8 S are pivoted together by bolts 10 10, which servealso to pivot these toggle-links to a vertical link 11, provided nearits lower end with two abutments 11fL 11". These abutments may form thetop and bottom of a preferably rectangular hole 12, as shown in Fig. 2,or of a recess vextending more or less across the link 11. When the link1.1 is raised, it causes the toggles to advance the movable knife 1toward the fixed knife 4 until the distance between them corresponds tothe thickness of the ordinary linotype without an overhanging letter. Onthe contrary, when the link 11 is lowered it causes the toggles to drawthe movable knife l awayfrom the fixed knife 4 until the space betweenthem vis such as to permit the passage of a linotype with an overhangingletter thereon. the link is effected by the following means:

Situated between the abutments 11a 11b of the link without filling thespace between them is the free end of the approximately horizontal arm13 of a bell-cranklever 13 14, the approximately vertical arm 14 ofwhich is connected to the arm 13 by a short shaft 15. This short shaft15 is pivoted in a bracket 16, rigidly secured to the usualstarting-handle bracket 17. The lower end of the lever-arm 14 ispivotally connected to one end of a'link 18, whose opposite end issimilarly connected to the lower end of a vertical lever 19. This leveris pvoted by a stud 2O to the fixed framing A of the machine, and atitsupper end it is pivoted by a stud 21 to a horizontal push-rod 22. Thepush-rod 22 is free to slide in two guides 23 23, secured to the frameA, and in its rearward end is jo urnaled an antifriction-roller 24,which is successively acted upon by two campieces 25 26, fixed to,preferably, the usual delivery and space-bar-shifter cam 27, secured onthe before-mentionedcam-shaft a6. To the lower end of the lever 19 isattached the rear end of a tension-spring 2S, which is also attached atits forward end to the fixed frame A, and therefore has a constanttendency to raise the before-mentioned lever-arm 13, said spring actingin opposition to the cams 25 26. Of these latter, which are separatedfrom each other by about an eighth of a circle, the cam 26, unlike 25,has at its leading end a low level surface 26 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. Each of the cams 25 26 engages the push-rod 22 once duringeach rotation of the cam-shaft a6.

To the rear ofthe movable knife 1 are secured two bearings 29 30, inwhich is mounted with a capacity for both rotary and vertical movement avertical rod 31, on the lower Aend of which is secured the stem of afork 32,

through which motion simparted from the lever 13 to the knife-adjustinglink 11. This fork, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 5, and 6,

The movement of has two prongs 33 34, situated in different vertical andhorizontal planes, the prong 33 being above the lever-arm 13 and at therear of the link 11 and the prong 34 being below the lever-arm 13 and infront of the link 11. Each of the prongs 33 34 is provided with aprojection 33a and 34,respectively,the former (33a) adapted to benserted'between the upper side of the lever-arm 13 and the abutment 11,(the projection 34a at that time being in its inoperative position,) andthe latter (34) adapted to be inserted between the under side of thelever-arm 13 andthe abutment 11", while the projection 33a occupies itsinoperative position. The projections 33 and 34a are simply fillingpieces or blocks to reduce the opening in the link 11 above or below theactuating-lever 13, so that the lever will communicate motion to thelink through that lling-piece which is for the time being in operativeposition. To the nnder side of the bearing 30 is secured the fron-t endof a tension-spring 35, whose rear end is secu red to the fork 32, sothat the said spring exerts a constant tendency to draw the forkprongs33 34 forward and also tends to hold the fork in its highest position,determined by the said fork abutting against the hearing 30. Byreference to Figs. 7 to 16, inclusive,

which represent all the different vertical and lateral positions ofadjustment of the fork 32, it will be seen that at all times thereiseither one or other of the projections 33n 34a situated between theabutments 11a l1b and above or below the lever-arm 13.

Near the upper end lof the vertical pivotrod 31 is secured an arm 36,which, conjointly with an arm 37 extending from the fork 32, rigidlycarries a vertical horizontally-swinging plate 38, situated in the pathfollowed by any overhang there may be on the linotypes when t-he saidlinotypes are moved toward the trimming-knives 1 4. This yielding plate38, acted upon by the overhang of the linotypes, controls the positionof the llingpieces through which the lever-arm 13 acts on the knifeadjusting devices, i or, in other words, the plate 38 controls themechanism through which the knives are separated and approximated, ashereinafter more fully described.

The relativedimensions of the depth of the lever-arm 13, the stroke ofsaid arm, the distance between the abutments 11n 11", and the depth ofthe projections 33a 34 are important. The distance between 11M and 11bis equal to the depth of the lever-arm 13 plus twice the length of therise or fall or stroke of the said arm, and the depth of each of theprojections is equal to that rise or fall. There is thus a clear spacebetween the abutment 11a and the upper side of the arm 13 when theprojection 34a is inserted between the under side of the said arm andthe abutment 11b and in contact with both, and correspondingly a clearspace between the abutment 11b and the under side of the arm 13 when theIOO projection 335L is inserted between the upper side of the arm andthe abutment 11a and in contact with both, the height of the said clearspace in either case being equal to the depth (Indicated, in Figs. 11and 12.)

It is to be observed that the operation of trimming the linotype takesplace after the cam 26 has left and before the cam 25 reaches theantifriction-roller 24, so that in thecase of ordinary linotypes thefull pressure of the spring 28 is constantly applied to maintain themovable knife 1 in itsproper trimming position.

When an overhung linotype has beencast, the next ensuing forwardmovement of the moldwheel O into the ejectin g position causes theoverhang or overhangs to bear against the vertical plate 38, and therebyturn the pivot-rod 31 about its axis and swing the fork 32 rearward, soas to insert the projection 34 between the arm 13 and the abutment 1lband render the projection 33a for the time being ineffective by removingit from between the arm 13 and abutment 11a. Figs..13 and 14 representthese devices at this condition of adjustment. The low levelcam portion26a at the last-namedfjuncture is in engagement wit-htheantifriction-roller 24, as shown in Fig. la, and serves to relieve thefork projections 33 of the pressure which the spring 28 exerts upon itthrough the lever-2 arm 13, and thereby allows the fork 32 to be freelymoved under the pressure of the linotype overhang. The high level camportion 26 next engages the push-,rod 22 and through the lever 19 andlink 18 rocks the lever-arm 13 down, the said arm, through the forkprojection 34'a and abutment 11b, serving to lower the vertical link 11,and thereby, `through the toggles 8 8, withdrawing the movable knife 1away from the fixed knife 4. This condition of adjustment is bestindicated in Figs. 15 and 16. The linotype is then ejected in the usualway, the overhangpart or parts moving clear of the then withdrawnknife 1. When the cam 26 has passed away from the push-rod 22, thespring 28 immediately thereafter rocks the lever-arm 13 up; but as thereis a vacant space between the upper surface of the arm 13 and theabutment 11a thisupward movement of the saidarm has no effect on thevertical link 11 d or movable knife 1, which latter therefore remainsstanding at the maximum distance from the stationary knife 4. Figs. Tand8 represent the devices at this stage of the working. At the next cycleof the machine the leading cam 25 again engages the push-rod 22 andeffects the lowering of thelever-arm 13 and at thesame time depressesthe fork 32, because the fork projection 34 is then beneath thev arm 13.As soon as the arm 13 reaches the bottom of its stroke the spacebetweenitand the abutment 11 is equal to the height of the projection33, and the spring 35 immediately draws forward the fork 32, so as toinsert said projection between the upper side of the arm 13 and theproximate abutment 11a, the projection 34a being simultaneouslywithdrawn from beneath the arm 13, and thereby for the time beingrendered inoperative. Figs. 9 and 10 show the devices in this conditionof adjustment. When the leading cam-piece 25 has released the push-rod22, the spring 28 rocks the lever-arm 13`upward, and this, through theprojection 33a then inserted between it and the abutment 11, eects theraising of the link 11 and moves the knife 1 toward the fixed knife 4.Figs. 11 and 12 show the positions which the devices occupy at thetermination of this upward movement of the levelarm 13. Y j i It will bereadily understood that instead of the arm 13 having a curvilinearmotion imparted to it it may partake of a rectilinear vibrating motion,the term vibrating arm hereinafter employed in the claims being intendedto include all such equivalent devices.

It is to be observed that in my mechanism the adjustment of the knife ismechanically effected by a portion of the power applied to.

drive the machine and that the action of the knife-adjusting mechanismis controlled by the overhang on the slug acting upon the con trollingdevice, which olers but slight resistance, so that there is no danger ofmutilating the linotype or interfering with its passage through themachine. j

I believe it to be broadly new to employde- Vices acted upon by theprojection on the linotype to' couple up or control the action ofpower-driven devices for adjusting the knife.

1. In a linotype-machine the combination with the knife-block, atrimming-knife laterally movable thereon, an arm adapted to move theknife laterally, and a plurality of cams adapted to operate the arm ateach cycle of the machine, of a fork pivotally mounted on theknife-block, the two prongs of the fork being situated in differentplanes, one on either side of the arm, a member in operativeconnectionwith the fork situated in the path of, and adapted to beoperated by, overhung letters on the linotype to insert one forke pronginto operative connection with the arm andmovable knife and render thesecond prong ineffective, and a spring'for inserting the second pronginto operative connection IOO IIO

with the movable knife and rendering the first oneineffectivesubstantially as set forth.

2. In a linotype-machine the combination with the knife-block and atrimming-knife laterally movable thereon, and toggles pivoted to theknife-block and movableknife, of alink pivotally connected to thetoggles, abutments on the link, a vibrating arm between the abutments, afork pivotally mounted on the knife-block, its two prongs being situatedin different planes one on either side of the arm, a member in operativeconnection with the fork situated in the path of, and adapted to beoperated by, overhung letters on the linotype to insert one prongbetween the arm and the proximate abutment and render the second armineective substantially as set forth.

3. In a linotype-machine the combination with the knife-block and atrimming-knife laterally movable thereon, and toggles pivoted to theknife-block and movable knife, of a link pivotally connected to thetoggles, abutments on the link, a vibrating arm between the abutments,afork pivotally mounted on the knife-block, its two prongs beingsituated in different planes and one on either side of the arm, a memberin operative connection with the fork, situated in the path of, andadapted to be operated by, overhungletters on the linotype to insert oneof the prongs between one side of the arm and the proximate abutment anda spring connected to the knife-block and fork for inserting the otherofthe prongs between the other side of the arm and the second abutmentsubstantially as set forth.

4. In a linotype-machine the combination with the laterally-movableknife, a link in operative connection with the knife and a vibratingvarm operating the linkfof bearings on the knife, a rod axially andangularly movable in the bearings, a fork rigid on the rod, the prongsof which are situated in different planes and one on either side of thevibrating arm, a plate rigid with the fork and at the opposite side ofthe axis of oscillation, and in the path of overhangs on the linotypes,

and projections on the fork-prongs for insertion between the arm andlink substantially as set forth.

5. In a linotype-machine, a knife movable toward and from its companion,power-driven mechanism for eecting the adjustment of the knife, and acontrolling device for said mechanism, arranged to be acted upon by aprojection on an outgoing linotype.

6. In a linotype-machine, a knife, adjustable transversely to itslength, an independently-movable device for imparting motion to theknife, anintermediate movable member for connecting and disconnectingsaid parts, and a device for adjusting said member adapted to be actedupon by projections on thel linotypes,

'7. In a linotype, a knife, power driven mechanism for adjusting theknife, and intermediate controlling devices arranged to be operated bythe linotypes.

S. In a linotype-machine, a knife adjustable in a direction transverseto its length, a controlling device to be acted upon by the passinglinotypes, and intermediate mechanism through which the controllingdevice determines the adjust-ment of the knife.

9. In a linotype-machine, a trimming-knife movable transversely, springconnections tending to advance the knife toward the path of thelinotypes, positively-acting mechanism to retract the knife, and adevice acted upon by the passing linotype to cause the action ornon-action of the retracting mechanism.

l0. In a linotype-machine, a transverselyadjustable knife, power-drivenmechanism for effecting the adjustment, and a controlling device forsaid mechanism extending the entire length of the path traversed by thelinotype, whereby a projection or overhang at any point in the length ofthe linotype will effect the adjustment of the knife.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereuntosigned my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND JOHN WICH. Viitnesses:` GEORGE ERNEST BANNISTER, HAROLDWoRsLEY.

